Like father, like son? Dillon Simpson interviews with Cult of Hockey

Dillon Simpson seems to have it all going for him. Son of former Oiler star Craig Simpson, the youngster seems to have inherited his dad’s smarts, good looks, and at least a portion of his hockey talent.

Let’s talk about those smarts for a moment. Young Dillon carried a 4.0 grade point average in the first semester last year, pursuing his business degree with a major in finance. He managed to do this while playing hockey fulltime at the University of North Dakota, where the freshman was reportedly the youngest player in the entire WCHA. Playing against much older men, the 17-year-old defender kept his head above the water line on the ice (30 GP, 2-8-10) , and did much better than that in the classroom.

As for the hockey talent, Dillon didn’t go second overall like his dad, he was a much more modest 92nd, the first pick of the fourth round. As such an NHL career would seem to be a long shot, but Simpson is nonetheless a player of interest going forward. He’s a smooth player, one who moved the puck so easily and made the simple play so routinely that he was a difficult man to follow at the summer development camps of both the Oilers and Hockey Canada. Reportedly he has much work to do on his skating, but he is already hard at it. With three more years of college eligibility he has lots of time to develop his game, and will surely be a much more polished performer by the time he turns pro. In my opinion the full four years would be his wisest course of action, following the path of current Oiler Tom Gilbert whose game his loosely resembles. Even then he’ll be just 21 when he graduates.

Finally, I have to vouch for those good looks. Dillon’s a handsome lad with a great smile and dimples to challenge his dad. He’s going to win a lot of fans along the way. He proved to be both charming and articulate when I caught up with him for a brief interview at the Hockey Canada camp this past weekend.

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Cult of Hockey: Dillon, how unexpected was it for you to get the invite to camp?

Dillon Simpson: It was a pleasant surprise. It was something I wanted but obviously not something I thought I was a shoo-in or was expecting it by any means. To get that call was great for me, it’s been great experience so far, keep taking it into the weekend and try to learn as much as I can and do my best.

CoH: It’s got to be a bit of a dream for you being an Edmonton native playing for a shot at Team Canada right here in your home town.

DS: Everything’s been in my home town this summer, and it’s been great so far. I just want to keep taking more and more from it and keep learning. I’ve got to come here to prove a point and expose myself, but at the same time anything can happen, there’s a lot of talent here.

CoH: Do you feel that this is an extra chance for you to impress the Oilers brass as well, especially given as I understand it you’re ineligible [due to NCAA regulations] for the regular training camp and rookie tournament in September.

DS: Yeah, it’s nice that it’s at home, they get to watch me play a bit more, so that adds a little bit of pressure. I’m sure they’re watching and I just want to do the best I can.

CoH: You must feel like you’re under a little bit of the spotlight between being an Oilers draft pick and being the son of a famous Oiler icon and home town boy and all that.

DS: I’m enjoying it, it’s been great so far.

CoH: How would you describe your game, or maybe who would you compare yourself to as to a style of play that you try to emulate?

DS: I just try to make simple plays, jump up when I can. I wasn’t as offensive as I wanted to be last year in North Dakota, but I think this year I’ll be able to express that part of my game more.

CoH: 10 points in 30 games! That’s not bad!

DS: Most of those points came in a short stretch. I had a good run throughout the middle of the year where I was putting up points and playing powerplay. Most of my points were powerplay so I’m talking even strength, I want to get up in the play more, and I think that comes with the foot speed and agility that I’ve been working on this summer. That will help me a lot going into next year.

CoH: Were you the youngest player in the league? You must have been very close.

DS: That’s what I’ve heard. I don’t know the stats for sure but that’s what people have told me.

CoH: I remember your dad playing down there in the NCAA, I think he was sixteen when he went down there.

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